We are SSOCC’s volunteer board of directors and garden stewards.

Photo of Eliana smiling and holding an enoki mushroom up with chopsticks in front of their nose in a restaurant

  • I’m passionate about being a part of the work to build up Manitoba’s regionaI food system. Not only is the food we grow nutritious, but it brings communities together. Our garden spaces provide respite, shelter, education, and love. Yes, love. We love our spaces and they show us love in return. This is part of the reason why I am celebrating my sixth year on the SSOCC board, and my first year as President. I have a BSc. in Human Nutrition and I’m currently working on a Master of Public Health with a focus on socio-ecological systems, sustainability and health. Come as you are, there is a place for everyone at the gardens.

Photo of Alexis wearing a colourful bucket hat holding a Tupperware container full of Haskap berries on a sunny day in an orchard

  • Growing up on a small 80 acre farm just North of Winnipeg Beach inspired a mindset of community and sustainable living. My passion for the environment, art, exploration and health led me to pursue a biology degree from the University of Manitoba from which I will graduate Fall 2023. I began volunteering with SSOCC in 2021, excited to find like-minded people and an escape from the business of the city.

Close-up photo of Caitlin smiling in front of a grey background

  • As a farm kid who moved to the city, I found a community in Sustainable South Osborne - meeting with like-minded individuals interested in growing food and learning new things that I can take back to my own garden. I previously served as a board member from 2018-2020 and have volunteered in their garden clubs over the past several years.

Close-up photo of Sean smiling wearing a white button up shirt in front of a painting on a white wall

  • I've been involved with SSOCC since 2018 as a volunteer, student worker, board member, and garden steward. I'm enthusiastic about building community, learning how to grow new plants, and diggin' in the dirt!

Photo of Rod standing in front of a tree in full bloom in an orchard on a sunny day

  • I am a member at large on our Board of Directors. I served as VP of Programming from 2009 – 2023 and played a major part in the planning, development, and care of all the SSOCC sites. I have stepped aside to encourage others to take up some of the duties that I fulfilled over these many years. At my age, I have less stamina and energy to bring to the care of our spaces. But I have an intimate knowledge of them and still have lots of ideas of how we can assist nature to make them continue to develop and thrive. I would be delighted to answer any questions or offer advice.

Photo of Barb smiling in front of a white wall

  • I am Barbara Ediger – past President of SSOCC and the garden steward of the river gardens referred to as ‘The Raised Garden Beds’. It feels like I have been gardening my entire life and yet it also feels like I have so much more to learn about gardening. I can honestly say, that I have learned something from every gardener I have ever met.

  • After moving to Winnipeg in 2016, Ralf has been looking for ways to get involved in local communities and organizations. One summer of volunteering at the orchard is all it took to get him hooked! As a member-at-large he hopes to use his passions for cooking, building, and gardening to help out wherever he can and leave a positive impact on the South Osborne community. In his free time he enjoys bouldering, cider-making, and playing Magic: The Gathering.

  • My passion for gardening stems from a commitment to sustainability and connection with nature. As a new board member, I am enthusiastic about collaborating with others in shared spaces, eager to learn from their experiences and contribute to a community-centred approach to food production. I look forward to continuing this journey through the simple yet powerful act of growing food together!

  • From 2016 to 2019, I lived on a 4-acre farmstead in Clearwater, MB. During that time, I developed tangible working knowledge of gardening and permaculture practices and was astounded by the production potential of well-planned, well-cared for plot of land. Upon my return to the city, I have been heartened by the burgeoning interest of younger generations in urban food production and view SSOCC as a well-positioned organization to impart knowledge, experience, and skills to eager folks. I am excited to contribute to SSOCC’s current mandate and aid the organization in growing in scope in the future.

Photo of Mat standing arms crossed in front of a lake

  • I first learned of SSOCC through a university course in 2016, and have been volunteering with them in various ways ever since. In 2018 I worked for SSOCC over the summer, joined the Board as a member-at-large in 2019, became Steward of the People Garden in 2021, and took on the role of President from 2022-2024. I truly believe that localized food production is going to play a massive role in our future, and I’m grateful to be part of a group that is pushing this forward in Winnipeg.